Room is quite possibly one of the best films of the last decade.
Room is the extraordinary story of Jack, a spirited 5 year-old who is looked after by his loving and devoted Ma. Like any good mother, Ma dedicates herself to keeping Jack happy and safe, nurturing him with warmth and love and doing typical things like playing games and telling stories. However, they are trapped in a windowless, 10-by-10-foot space, which Ma has euphemistically named "Room." As Jack's curiosity about their situation grows, and Ma's resilience reaches its breaking point, they enact a risky plan to escape, ultimately bringing them face-to-face with what may turn out to be the scariest thing yet: the real world.
This is a powerful, captivating and emotional film. Lenny Abrahamson directs Room beautifully. His use of light and music, or the lack of music masterfully helps build and create tension in the audience. I have never been so in-awe of performers before, Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay (who is 9 years old) offer some of the greatest on-screen performances that I’ve seen. They have a superb rapport and it is entirely believable they are mother and son. It is entirely unfair that Tremblay wasn’t nominated for an Oscar, he easily outshines all the other nominees!
The screenplay written by Emma Donoghue (who also wrote the novel) is astonishing. The characters have well-rounded dialogue that advances the story, not pads it out.
Overall this is an astonishing piece of art; we may as well just hand Room all the Oscars now! With superb performances, outstanding direction and a well-crafted script Room is the best film of the Oscar season, and one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time.
5 Stars
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Screening courtesy of Palace Nova Cinemas
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